Headrest for an immobilization system

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/090,424 filed on Oct. 1, 2018, which is a national phase application of International Application No. PCT/EP2018/058866 filed Apr. 6, 2018, which claims priority from International Application No. PCT/EP2017/059420 filed Apr. 20, 2017, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Generally, the present invention relates to non-invasive immobilization of at least a part or body part of a patient. Particularly, the present invention relates to a headrest for an immobilization system for immobilizing at least a part or body part of a patient. The present invention further relates to a use of such headrest in an immobilization system, to an immobilization system comprising such headrest, and to a method for immobilizing at least a part of a head and/or neck of a patient. Specifically, the headrest and/or the immobilization system according to the present invention may be used in the context of orthopaedic, therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures, such as e.g. radiotherapy, radiosurgery, radiation treatment and/or diagnostic imaging.

Immobilization systems are used in the context of orthopaedic, therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures for immobilizing, positioning and/or fixing at least a part or body part of a patient. In such procedures, usually the part or body part in question is immobilized, positioned and/or fixed relative to a fixed structure in order to ensure a high reproducibility of the body part's spatial position during the procedure.

For instance, to immobilize at least a part of a patient's head, a neck and/or a patient's shoulder for radiation therapy and/or diagnostic imaging, the body part can be connected to a fixed supporting structure or fixture, such as e.g. a patient bed, in a spatially fixed arrangement and therefore in a reproducible position relative to a radiation and/or imaging device. For this purpose, immobilization devices or immobilization systems may be used which provide a rigid connection between the head and the fixture, wherein the head can be held within a headrest supporting the rear head or the fore head and for example a mask that comprises at least one layer of a low temperature thermoplastic material, which previously has been individually adapted to the head in a heated condition thereof so that, after the mask has cooled down and cured, the mask tightly fits to the head to be immobilized.

Generally, the headrest of an immobilization system can be configured to support the patient's head and to place it in a position that is appropriate for a specific procedure, such as e.g. a radiotherapy treatment with a specific treatment indication.

A drawback of conventional headrests may be that they are made of dimensionally relatively stable, non-elastic material, such as e.g. relatively rigid foam, hard plastic or composite material. Therefore, such headrests usually offer only one pre-shaped contour for the rear head or the fore head with no or only limited individual adaption to the anatomy of the patient. Moreover, a tight fit of such headrests to the patient's anatomy can only be achieved by additional means, such as an extra vacuum cushion arranged between the headrest and the patient's head. As the anatomy of different patients may strongly vary, usually multiple headrests offering different contours for different anatomies or heads should be available.

Apart from that, at least some of the materials used in conventional headrests, especially those made of plastic or composite material, may not be comfortable for the patient and may be slippery, e.g. in case their surface is smooth.

A further drawback of conventional headrests may be that a significant amount of radiation is absorbed by the material constituting the headrests during the radiation therapy, radiotherapy, radiation treatment, radiosurgery and/or diagnostic imaging.

It is, therefore, desirable to provide for an improved headrest for an immobilization system and an improved immobilization system, in which some of or all of the above-mentioned drawbacks are resolved or overcome.

Particularly, the headrest according to the present invention can be used for supporting at least a part of a patient's head, neck and/or shoulders for non-invasive patient immobilization and reproducible positioning, e.g. during radiosurgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, radiotherapy, radiation treatment, and/or diagnostic imaging, for instance in connection with a cranial mask system, such as the ExecTrac® Frameless SRS System of Brainlab AG.

Aspects of the present invention, examples and exemplary features or steps and their embodiments are disclosed in the following. Different aspects, embodiments, examples and exemplary features of the invention can be combined in accordance with the invention wherever technically expedient and feasible.

In the following, a short description of some of the features of the present invention is given which shall not be understood to limit the invention only to the features or a combination of the features described in this section.

According to the present disclosure, a headrest for an immobilization system for immobilizing at least a part or body part of a patient is provided. The headrest and/or the immobilization system may particularly be configured for immobilizing at least a part of a head, at least a part of neck, and/or at least a part of a shoulder of the patient. Therein, the term immobilizing may refer to positioning and/or fixing the at least part of the patient, for instance relative to a fixed support structure or fixture, such as e.g. a patient bed, on which the patient may be arranged during therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures, such as e.g. radiotherapy, radiosurgery, radiation treatment and/or diagnostic imaging.

The headrest comprises a supporting structure and a sheet-like formed elastic panel attached laterally to the supporting structure on at least two opposite and/or opposing sides of the elastic panel. The elastic panel is configured to support at least a part of the head, at least a part of the neck and/or at least a part of the shoulders of the patient. Therein, at least a part of the elastic panel is stretchable and configured to stretch when said at least part of the head, neck and/or shoulders of the patient is arranged on the elastic panel, such that a shape of said at least part of the elastic panel is formed corresponding to a shape of said at least part of the head, neck and/or shoulders of the patient.

According to an example of the invention, the at least part of the elastic panel is reversibly deformable and/or reversibly stretchable at room temperature, such as e.g. at a temperature between 15° C. and 35° C., preferably between 18° C. and 30° C. It is emphasized, however, that the elastic panel and/or a material thereof may also be elastic, reversibly deformable and/or reversibly stretchable at a temperature other than the above-mentioned temperature ranges. Moreover, it is emphasized that the elastic panel and/or a material thereof may have different physical and/or deformation properties, such as e.g. non-elastic, viscoelastic and/or thermoplastic deformation properties, at a temperature other than the above-mentioned temperature ranges. By way of example, the elastic panel may be elastic, reversibly deformable and/or reversibly stretchable at room temperature and thermoplastic at a temperature above room temperature, such as e.g. above 35° C., preferably above 30° C.

Generally, the term elastic describes an ability of the elastic panel and/or a material thereof to resume its normal shape after being deformed, stretched and/or compressed. Moreover, the elasticity of the elastic panel may be defined as the ability of the elastic panel and/or a material thereof to resist a distorting and/or deforming influence, such as e.g. a force exerted by the patient's head, neck and/or shoulders, to the elastic panel, and to return partly or entirely to its original size, form and/or shape when that influence or force is removed.

Generally, the elastic panel of the headrest, its constituents, components and/or the material of the headrest may allow a deformation, a stretch and/or an elongation in one or more spatial directions of more than about 1%, for instance more than about 5%, preferably more than about 10%, more preferably more than about 30%, and even more preferably more than about 50% relative to a size and/or elongation, in which no force is exerted. Moreover, the deformation, stretch and/or elongation may be in a range of about 1% to about 20%, for example about 1% to about 15%, preferably about 3% to about 14%, more preferably about 3% to about 10%, and even more preferably about 4% to about 9%, relative to the size and/or elongation, in which no force is exerted. When the force stretching the elastic panel is removed, the elastic panel may resume its original size, elongation, form and/or shape. Therein, the original size, elongation, form and/or shape may refer to a state of the elastic panel, in which no external force is exerted on the elastic panel (also referred to as rest position of the headrest hereinafter). Further, the elastic panel may resume its original size, elongation, form and/or shape autonomously due to its elastic properties. In other words, no external force may be required to bring the elastic panel partly or entirely back into its original size, elongation, form and/or shape after removal of the force that stretched the elastic panel.

The headrest according to the present invention with its elastic panel advantageously adapts, particularly automatically, to an anatomy of the patient, such as an anatomy of the at least part of the head, neck and/or shoulders. Accordingly, the elastic panel or at least a part thereof may form precisely and tightly to a surface of the patient that rests on and/or is in contact with the headrest and/or the elastic panel.

Moreover, the headrest advantageously allows to freely and/or steplessly position the patient's head, e.g. to best fit a certain treatment indication. By way of example, a chin of the patient can be positioned in an upwards or downwards tilted position. Also, a lateral tilting of the patient's head is possible.

Apart from that, due to a reduced design of the entire headrest, particularly the elastic panel, compared to conventional headrests that are currently used, significantly less radiation may be absorbed in the headrest, particularly in an anterior-posterior direction. Further, a comfort for the patient may be significantly improved with respect to conventional headrests.

In this section, a description of the general features of the present invention is given for example by referring to possible or exemplary embodiments of the invention.

As stated above, it may be desirable to provide for an improved headrest for an immobilization system and an improved immobilization system, in which some of or all of the above-mentioned drawbacks of currently used headrests are resolved or overcome.

This is achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims, wherein further embodiments are incorporated in the dependent claims and the following description.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a headrest for an immobilization system for immobilizing at least a part of a patient. The headrest comprises a supporting structure and a sheet-like formed elastic panel attached and/or fixed to the supporting structure on at least two opposite and/or opposing sides of the elastic panel. The elastic panel is configured to support and/or carry at least a part of a head and/or at least a part of a neck of a patient. Therein, at least a part of or the entire elastic panel is stretchable and configured to stretch when said at least part of the head and/or neck of the patient is arranged, situated and/or located on the elastic panel, such that a shape and/or form of said at least part of the elastic panel is formed corresponding to a shape of said at least part of the head and/or neck of the patient.

Generally, the headrest may refer to a head support for supporting the at least part of the patient's head and/or neck. It is emphasized, however, that the headrest according to the present invention is not limited to supporting and/or immobilizing the at least part of the head and/or neck. In contrast, the headrest may also be configured or used to immobilize other parts or body parts of the patient. Specifically, by means of the headrest at least a part of a shoulder, shoulders, and/or a part of a spine of the patient may be immobilized, positioned and/or fixed. For reasons of simplicity, however, it is primarily referred to an immobilization of the patient's head and/or neck (or parts thereof) in the following, without any limitation of the present invention.

The headrest according to the present invention with its elastic panel advantageously adapts, particularly automatically adapts, to a shape, form and/or anatomy of the at least part of the patient's head and/or neck. Accordingly, the elastic panel or the at least part thereof may form, e.g. precisely and/or tightly, to a surface of the at least part of the patient that rests on and/or is in contact with the headrest and/or the at least part of the elastic panel. In other words, when the patient places its head and/or neck on the headrest, the elastic panel may surround, abut and/or enclose the at least part of the patient's head and/or neck. This advantageously allows to immobilize the at least part of the patient's head and/or neck in an effective and reliable manner. Further, by being formed according to and/or in correspondence with the shape or anatomy of the head and/or neck, a comfort for the patient may significantly be increased or improved. Moreover, due the elastic properties of the elastic panel and/or its stretchability, the headrest may be used for any patient, e.g. irrespective of a size and/or a weight of the patient's head and/or neck. Accordingly, the headrest may be used for patients of any age or any anatomy.

The term “immobilization” of the patient's head and/or neck in the context of the present disclosure may mean that the patient's head and/or neck (or parts thereof) is positioned and/or fixed, e.g. relative to a fixed supporting structure or fixture, such as a patient bed, on which the patient may be arranged. Accordingly, by means of the headrest, the patient's head and/or neck may be positioned and/or fixed in a spatially fixed arrangement and/or in a reproducible position, e.g. relative to a radiation or imaging device. Likewise, the term immobilization system may refer to a system, device, arrangement or apparatus configured to immobilize, position and/or fix at least a part or body part of the patient, particularly at least a part of the patient's head and/or neck.

The supporting structure may refer to a fixture or a supporting element. Preferably, the supporting structure or at least a part thereof may be dimensionally stable, rigid and/or solid. However, the supporting structure or a part thereof may also be elastic and/or flexible, wherein an elasticity or flexibility of the supporting structure may be smaller or less than an elasticity of the elastic panel. The supporting structure may be configured to hold the elastic panel in place, particularly in a rest position of the headrest or the elastic panel, in which no external force (at least no force other than the gravitational force acting on the headrest itself) is exerted on the headrest and/or the elastic panel. The elastic panel may be laterally attached and/or fixed to the supporting structure, wherein the two opposite or opposing sides of the elastic panel may be fixed, mechanically fixed, attached and/or coupled to the supporting structure, e.g. by means of a bolt connection, a glue connection, a clamp connection or any other suitable connection. The elastic panel may also be detachably attached to the supporting structure. Moreover, the supporting structure may be configured to at least partly pre-stress and/or pretension the elastic panel in the rest position. Apart from that, the supporting structure may be configured to connect to another part of an immobilization system, such as e.g. a base of a thermoplastic mask that may be placed on the patient's face or head to further immobilize, position and/or fix the patient's head and/or neck.

The term sheet-like formed elastic panel may, in the context of the present disclosure, refer to a sheet-like, foil-like and/or membrane-like shaped panel or element having elastic properties. Accordingly, the elastic panel and/or at least a part thereof may be reversibly deformable, such that the elastic panel stretches, reversibly stretches, reversibly elongates and/or reversibly deforms under or in response to a force exerted by the patient's head and/or neck. Further, the elastic panel may return partly or entirely to its original size, form and/or shape, e.g. to its rest position, when that force is removed. The sheet-like form of the elastic panel may mean that a length and/or width of the elastic panel may be larger, particularly, significantly larger, than a thickness of the elastic panel. Therein, the width of the elastic panel may be measured along a transverse axis of the elastic panel or the headrest, e.g. between the two opposite sides of the elastic panel that are attached to the supporting structure. Further, the length of the elastic panel may be measured along a longitudinal axis of the headrest or the elastic panel, wherein this longitudinal axis may be substantially parallel to the two opposite sides of the elastic panel attached to the supporting structure. Accordingly, the thickness of the sheet-like elastic panel may be measured transverse (or perpendicular) to both the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis. By way of example, the thickness of the elastic panel may be less than about 10%, particularly less than about 5%, preferably less than about 3%, and even more preferably less than about 1% of the width and/or length of the elastic panel. For instance, the thickness of the elastic panel may range from about 0.1 mm to 5 cm, e.g. from about 0.1 mm to about 2 cm, preferably from about 0.2 mm to about 0.5 cm, and more preferably from about 0.3 mm to about 3 mm.

Moreover, the term “stretching of the sheet-like elastic panel” may mean that the elastic panel elongates under the force exerted by the patient's head and/or neck. Therein, the length and/or the width of the elastic panel may be increased and/or elongated with respect to the rest position by at least 1%, e.g. by at least 5%, preferably by at least 10%, more preferably by at least 30%, and even more preferably by at least 50%. Moreover, the length and/or width of the elastic panel may be increased and/or elongated with respect to the rest position by about 1% to about 20%, for example about 1% to about 15%, preferably about 3% to about 14%, more preferably about 3% to about 10%, and even more preferably about 4% to about 9%. Similarly, the thickness of the sheet-like elastic panel may be reduced and/or decreased with respect to the rest position by at least 1%, e.g. by at least 5%, preferably by at least 10%, more preferably by at least 30%, and even more preferably by at least 50%. Accordingly, the thickness of the elastic panel may be reduced and/or decreased with respect to the rest position in a range of about 1% to about 20%, for example about 1% to about 15%, preferably about 3% to about 14%, more preferably about 3% to about 10%, and even more preferably about 4% to about 9%.

An elasticity, a stretchability, a stretch, elongation, increase in length and/or increase in width of the elastic panel may be determined as exemplary described in the following. A line may be drawn on the elastic panel in the rest position (i.e. without exertion of an external force onto the elastic panel) and a length of the line may be determined or measured in the rest position. Subsequently, an external force, preferably a constant force, may be exerted on the elastic panel or a part thereof, thereby stretching at least a part of the elastic panel. The length of the line may then be determined or measured when the external force is exerted, e.g. in a stretched state of the elastic panel. The elasticity, stretchability, stretch, elongation, increase in length and/or increase in width may then be determined based on a ratio of the length of the line in the rest position and the length of the line when the external force is exerted. Preferably, the line is drawn along the shortest path between two opposing edges of the elastic sheet through the point where the elastic sheet is deformed the most from its original state, e.g. where the maximum force is exerted. The force is preferably exerted by a typical patients head and/or neck and/or shoulders and/or a phantom simulating a typical patients head and/or neck and/or shoulders. Preferably, the stretch is determined for a multitude of lines along a path between any two opposing edges and the stretch of the elastic panel is for example defined as the maximum value determined from any of the lines.

Rephrasing the first aspect of the invention, the headrest comprises the supporting structure, e.g. a rigid frame structure or fixture, and the sheet-like elastic panel, wherein the sheet-like elastic panel may refer to a flexible, stretchable and/or elastic portion or part of the headrest. The patient's head and/or neck may be arranged on and/or rest on the elastic panel. When the head and/or neck is placed on the elastic panel, it stretches and/or elongates in response to the force exerted thereon, for instance until its stretching limit is reached for that force. This way, the elastic panel, a part thereof, a surface thereof and/or a material thereof encloses, particularly tightly encloses, at least a part of the head and/or neck, which is placed on it, regardless of its size and/or shape. This may allow to efficiently and reliably immobilize, position and/or fix the patient's head and/or neck, while also significantly increasing or improving a comfort for the patient compared to conventional headrests currently used. Moreover, this allows the headrest to be re-used for any patient, regardless of an anatomy of the patient, such as e.g. the size of the head and/or neck. In other words, the headrest and/or the elastic panel can advantageously be reversibly adapted to arbitrary sizes, shapes and/or anatomies of the heads and/or necks of different patients.

Moreover, by means of the headrest the head can advantageously be moved freely and/or stepless into any desired position. In other words, the headrest with its elastic panel advantageously allows to freely and/or steplessly position the patient's head, e.g. to best fit a certain treatment indication. By way of example, a chin of the patient can be positioned in an upwards or downwards tilted position. Also, a lateral tilting of the patient's head is possible. Generally, the elastic panel and/or the material thereof can be designed or configured in such a way that the head and/or neck can be positioned in an approximately horizontal positon, e.g. a lying position of the patient.

Apart from that, due to the sheet-like form of the elastic panel having a thickness that is significantly smaller than the width and/or the length thereof, significantly less radiation may be absorbed in the headrest and/or the elastic panel compared to currently used conventional headrests, particularly in an anterior-posterior direction. However, also with a beam having an impinging direction tilted with respect to the anterior-posterior direction, e.g. tilted by about 90°, significantly less radiation may be absorbed in the headrest and/or elastic panel compared to currently used conventional headrests.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least part of the elastic panel is reversibly deformable and/or reversibly stretchable at room temperature. In the context of the present disclosure, the room temperature may range from about 15° C. to about 35° C., preferably from about 18° C. to about 30° C. By means of the reversible deformability and/or the reversible stretchability of the elastic panel at room temperature, it may be ensured that the elastic panel or at least a part thereof encloses the part of the patient's head and/or neck during the treatment or procedure, in which the headrest may be used, thereby immobilizing the head and/or neck in an effective manner, particularly without any additional heat source or the like. Accordingly, the reversible stretchability and/or deformability of the elastic panel at room temperature may mean that the elastic panel exhibits substantially the same elastic and/or deformation properties over the room temperature ranges specified above. In other words, at least in the temperature ranges specified above the elastic and/or deformation properties of the elastic panel may be substantially constant and/or substantially temperature-independent.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic panel comprises one or more elastic sheets for supporting said at least part of the head and/or neck of the patient. The elastic sheets may be membrane-like and/or foil-like formed, wherein each of the elastic sheets may have a thickness that is smaller, particularly significantly smaller, than a length and/or a width of the respective elastic sheet. Therein, the length of the elastic panel may define or substantially equal the length of the at least one elastic sheet. Likewise, the width of the elastic panel may define or substantially equal the width of the at least one elastic sheet. By way of example, the thickness of the at least one elastic sheet may be less than about 10%, particularly less than about 5%, preferably less than about 3%, and even more preferably less than about 1% of the width and/or length of the at least one elastic sheet. For instance, the thickness of the at least one elastic sheet may range from about 0.1 mm to 5 cm, e.g. from about 0.1 mm to about 2 cm, preferably from about 0.2 mm to about 0.5 cm, and more preferably from about 0.3 mm to about 3 mm.

Accordingly, the elastic panel may refer to an arrangement of one or more elastic sheets. Therein, each of the elastic sheets may be attached to the supporting structure on two opposite sides of the respective elastic sheet. If the elastic panel comprises a plurality of elastic sheets, the elastic sheets may be arranged substantially parallel to each other.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic panel comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of polymer-based elastic material, silicone material, rubber material, and elastic foam. Further, the material of the elastic panel may be biocompatible and/or cleaning-resistant.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic panel comprises a middle region and at least one reinforced region, wherein the middle region is more stretchable than the at least one reinforced region. The middle region may refer to a middle head support portion of the elastic panel and/or may be configured to support a middle head having substantially the largest circumference with respect to other portions of the head. Further, the at least one reinforced region may refer to a neck support portion of the elastic panel configured to support at least a part of the neck. Alternatively, the at least one reinforced region may refer to an upper head support portion of the elastic panel configured to support an upper head portion of the patient. However, the elastic panel may comprise a plurality of reinforced regions. For instance, the elastic panel may comprise in addition to the neck support portion a further reinforced region configured to support the upper head of the patient (i.e. the upper head support portion).

Generally, the term “more stretchable” may mean that with the same force exerted on the middle region and the at least one reinforced region, the elastic panel is stretched and/or elongated more, e.g. by a greater length, in the middle region than in the at least one reinforced region. Likewise, to stretch and/or elongate the middle region by the same length as the at least one reinforced region, a higher force needs to be exerted on the at least one reinforced region than on the middle region.

The middle region being more stretchable than the at least one reinforced region may be particularly advantageous for the following reasons. As a shape and/or weight of the neck and/or head and therefore the pressure onto the elastic panel may vary in certain regions, portions or areas of the elastic panel, it may be favoured or advantageous that an elongation or stretching behaviour of the elastic panel varies and/or differs in these regions, portions or areas of the elastic panel. This may ensure a tight fit of the elastic panel throughout the part of the neck and/or head which is in contact with the elastic panel. Different stretchabilities or elastic properties of the elastic panel in different regions, areas or portions thereof can also influence the patient's horizontal alignment. By way of example, in the middle head support portion of the elastic panel that supports the middle head having the largest circumference, it may be favoured that the elastic panel allows more stretch than in areas or portions, where the circumference of the head and/or neck is smaller. For instance, the neck support portion of the elastic panel that supports a part of the neck and/or the upper head support portion that supports the upper head may advantageously exhibit less elongation than in the middle head support portion that supports the middle head. This may ensure that the elastic panel encloses, encompasses and/or surrounds as much surface of the head and neck as possible, thereby increasing an efficiency and effectiveness of the immobilization, while also improving comfort for the patient.

Apart from that, by means of the different stretchabilities and/or the elastic properties in the middle region and the at least one reinforced region, an overall supported load as well as a load distribution over the headrest's length and/or width can be taken into account. For example, the load or force exerted onto the neck support region (i.e. the at least one reinforced region) of the elastic panel may be higher than in the middle region of the elastic panel, because in the neck support region a weight of the neck, part of the head and at least part of the shoulders may be absorbed. Hence, the at least one reinforced region may refer to a region of the elastic panel configured to support a portion of the head and neck having a smaller circumference than the middle head portion of the head and/or configured to support a region of the head and neck exerting more force or pressure onto the elastic panel than the middle head portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a material thickness of the elastic panel in the middle region is smaller than a material thickness of the elastic panel in the at least one reinforced region. Alternatively or additionally the elastic panel comprises a first material in the middle region and a second material in the at least one reinforced region, the first material being different from the second material such that the middle region is more stretchable than the at least one reinforced region. Hence, the first material may be more stretchable than the second material. Accordingly, the thickness of the elastic panel can be adapted according to the desired elastic properties, stretchabilities, and/or deformation characteristics, e.g. the elastic panel can be thinner in areas, regions or portions being more stretchable, such as the middle region, and thicker and/or reinforced in areas, regions or portions being less stretchable, such as the at least one reinforced region, the neck support region and/or the upper head support portion. Accordingly, the thickness of the elastic panel can vary along the longitudinal axis of the headrest, e.g. over the length of the panel. Moreover, the thickness of the elastic panel can be even or homogenous over the whole width of the panel or vary within the panel width. Further, the thickness of the elastic panel may vary, i.e. decrease or increase, constantly or homogenously over the width and/or length of the elastic panel. Alternatively, the thickness of the elastic panel may vary, i.e. decrease or increase, inhomogenously over the width and/or length of the elastic panel. Hence, material thickness and/or elastic properties of the elastic panel can be inhomogenous throughout the elastic panel, i.e. along the longitudinal and/or transverse axis of the elastic panel. Further, changes in thickness and/or elastic properties can be continuous or discontinuous throughout the elastic panel, i.e. along the longitudinal and/or transverse axis of the elastic panel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic panel comprises a first perforation pattern in the middle region and a second perforation pattern in the at least one reinforced region, wherein the first perforation pattern is different from the second perforation pattern, such that the middle region is more stretchable than the at least one reinforced region. For instance, a density of the elastic panel, i.e. a mass per unit volume, may be less in the middle region than in the at least one reinforced region, such that the middle region is more stretchable than the at least one reinforced region.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic panel comprises an elastic sheet arranged in the middle region and in the at least one reinforced region of the elastic panel, wherein the elastic panel comprises at least one further elastic sheet arranged only or solely in the at least one reinforced region of the elastic panel. In other words, the at least one further elastic sheet may not be arranged in the middle region. Accordingly, the at least one reinforced region of the elastic panel may be reinforced by means of the at least one further elastic sheet, wherein the elastic sheet and the at least one further elastic sheet may be arranged and/or run substantially parallel to each other. The elastic panel may also comprise two further elastic sheets, e.g. one arranged in the neck support portion and one arranged in the upper head support portion of the elastic panel to reinforce these regions or portions of the elastic panel. Apart from that, the elastic sheet may have a greater length than the at least one further elastic sheet. Alternatively or additionally, the elastic sheet may differ from the at least one further elastic sheet, e.g. in terms of stretchability, elasticity and/or material, such that the at least one reinforced region, in which the at least one further elastic sheet is arranged, is less stretchable than the middle region of the elastic panel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic panel comprises at least one stiffening rib arranged in the at least one reinforced region. In other words, the at least one reinforced region of the elastic panel may be reinforced and/or stiffened by means of the at least one stiffening rib. Also, a plurality of stiffening ribs may be arranged in the at least one reinforced region. The at least one stiffening rib may comprise the same or a different material than remaining or other parts of the elastic panel. Accordingly, also the stiffening rib may be stretchable, reversibly stretchable, reversibly deformable and/or elastic. The at least one stiffening rib may have the same or a different thickness as remaining or other parts of the elastic panel. The at least one stiffening rib may extend in an arbitrary direction, e.g. substantially parallel to the transverse axis or the longitudinal axis of the elastic panel. The at least one stiffening rib may be attached, e.g. glued or fused, to the at least one reinforced region of the elastic panel or it may not be coupled or attached to the at least one reinforced region.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one stiffening rib is integrally formed with an elastic sheet of the elastic panel. Such integral formation may simplify operation of the headrest, e.g. in terms of a handling or cleaning of the headrest. By way of example, the at least one stiffening rib may be integrated onto an elastic sheet of the elastic panel (e.g. a main elastic sheet) or it may be integrated onto a further elastic sheet.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one reinforced region is arranged on a first end of the elastic panel. The first end may denote an end of the elastic panel along the longitudinal axis of the elastic panel. As described above, the at least one reinforced region may refer to a neck support portion that is arranged on the first end of the elastic panel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic panel comprises a first reinforced region on a first end of the elastic panel and a second reinforced region arranged on a second end of the elastic panel opposite to the first end of the elastic panel along the longitudinal axis of the elastic panel, wherein the middle region is arranged and/or interposed between the first reinforced region and the second reinforced region along a longitudinal axis of the elastic panel. The first reinforced region may denote the neck support portion of the elastic panel and the second reinforced region may denote the upper head support portion, as described above.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the headrest further comprises at least one shaping support coupled with a first end of the shaping support to the supporting structure, wherein a second end of the at least one shaping support protrudes and/or extends from the supporting structure towards a centre portion of the headrest. The at least one shaping support may be detachably coupled to the supporting structure. For instance, different shaping supports may be used for different patients or different head and neck sizes. Alternatively, the at least one shaping support may be fixed to the supporting structure and/or the at least one shaping support may be integrally formed with the supporting structure. Accordingly, the at least one shaping support may be formed as separate part which is attached to the supporting structure or it may be fully integrated therein. Also, the supporting structure itself may form the at least one shaping support.